What Can I Learn by Hanging Out with Weird and Crazy People?

Have you ever noticed that people who are super-intelligent are somehow always a little bit weird or odd? Okay, some are a lotta-bit weird and odd! There’s that old adage that says, “There’s a fine line between genius and insanity.” Sometimes I look around and feel like I am the only normal one in a room and other times I feel as if I am the one who is mad. Most people would agree that I am definitely the weird one!

The great thing about hanging out with people who are very different from you is they see things very differently. They see solutions to problems that you dismiss as unimportant or even impossible. Their brains connect dots that you can’t seem to find.

While watching one of my favorite vodcasts “The Stuff of Genius” I learned about Norm Larsen born in 1923 in Chicago Taught himself chemistry and wanted to create a substance that would displace water and prevent corrosion The first 39 attempts failed. But the 40^th attempt to create a great Water Displacement formula was a success and became WD-40 (Water Displacement 40^th attempt). Now come on…would I have even thought that we needed this product? I mean, rust can be quite lovely! Would I have persevered for 40 attempts? Surely not.

WD-40 invented by one CRAZY guy!

What can I gain from hanging out with someone like Norm? Aside from really quiet door hinges, I might start looking at my world for problems that others have given up trying to solve. Maybe I would dig out a project that I shelved 3 years ago to see if there was a new idea that is sparked. Even reading books by authors you disagree with causes you to stretch and dig deeper to either confirm your own beliefs or discover some common ground you share. How about all those social networking sites you belong to? Do you only follow people on Twitter that are in the same industry as you? Does your Facebook account look like an association directory? Sprinkle in a few people who are DIFFERENT.

Go on find some oddballs to hang out with this week. Read blog posts or a magazine in an industry TOTALLY different from your own. I know…CRAZY!

Need an oddball to open your mind? Im available at http://Twitter.com/Ginaschreck

February 15, 2010 | Filed Under Facebook, Social Learning, Twitter | Leave a Comment

Do You Have a Face That Stops Traffic?

When you see a picture of this structure, most will know exactly where it is.

Sydney's Opera House

Sydney’s Opera House is one of the most recognizable structures in the world. Whether you like opera or not, when you see the building, you stop and marvel at the design and beauty. You wouldn’t click on this picture if you wanted information on Chinese cooking or if you were interested in connecting with train collectors. The photo gives you enough information to draw you in or cause you to move on. In the world of social media and social networking, your online persona is made up of your name (or nickname), your avatar (or picture) and then the content that you provide. You may not be recognizable to many in the beginning, but it doesn’t take long to create that online persona.

When I see certain pictures on Facebook or Twitter, I pay more attention to the information than when I see others. There are some that I see and skip right over knowing it is not information that I want or need. (I know, I should just disconnect or “unfriend” them, but that is for another post)

When developing your online persona, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, is the photo that you choose to use. Selecting a great headshot or photo that really represents YOU is important. In my latest book, Gettin’ Geeky with Twitter, I spend an entire chapter talking about using a great headshot and standing out. I have some below that I feature in the book and I will explain why they stand out in my opinion. But do this simple test. Scan your list of friends on Facebook or look down the stream of Twitter followers, which pictures jump out and capture your attention? Which one’s get lost in the stream? Are there some that stop traffic and cause you to dive into the information?

A great headshot is close up, it shows personality and it becomes YOU to all of US. I used to think that everyone should use a REAL photo of themselves and not their dog or a picture of their book cover, but I have found enough exceptions to this rule to now say, “it depends.” Who are you online? Do you provide information from a dog’s point of view? Then a dog-face works for you. Do you use an animated character because this is how you see yourself? Cool. As long as it is not a picture of someone else–like those who post a photo of a celebrity as if that were them, or there have been cases where someone posts a picture of someone more attractive because they don’t want the world to see who they really are. This is different than posting a cartoon image or caricature.

I feel that this becomes a form of deception. Too many people create fake accounts with someone else’s face, name or both so they can write nasty comments or lead people into false relationships. I guess this is done in face-to-face relationships as well, but it is wrong in either case (in my humble opinion!) I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this. Depending on why you are online and engaging in social networking, it is usually important to build authentic relationships even when they are shot-term acquaintances. A friendly or engaging avatar/photo is very helpful.

Here are some of my favorite Twitter profile pics–and the reasons I think they stop traffic:

Chris Voss or @ChrisVoss

Viveka von Rosen or @LinkedInExpert

Both Chris and Viveka have great close up shots of their smiling faces. I get the feeling that they are friendly and helpful. After reading the content they provide on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, I know that when I see their face pop up it is worth stopping to read their post. Chris is a social media guru and has a great podcast on iTunes “The Chris Voss Show” (go figure) and Viveka is the Queen of LinkedIn. If I have a question about LinkedIn, I would think of her immediately.

Melissa Taylor or @MelissaWrites

Clark Quinn or @Quinnovator

Melissa is a great freelance education writer and I know she provides helpful articles and information for other writers. When I see her face, I stop to read her posts.

Clark is known as @Quinnovator in Twitter Town and he is an e-learning genius. His picture shows his quiet and friendly demure (or so we think) and his content is always great.

Poinky (few people know him as Jonas) @Poinky

Here is a great example of someone who has created a persona that has taken on a life of its own. (PLUS as a SHREK I just love green people!) This picture certainly stands out and everywhere you see Poinky, he is green with spiky hair. Even in virtual worlds like Second Life or Reaction Grid, his avatar is as recognizable as his Twitter pic. Is he hiding behind this caricature? We may never know, but “Poinky” is a virtual worlds guru and when you see his cute green face, you know to pay attention!

Lil Pecan or @LilPecan

Lil Pecan is one of my favorite Twitter Critters. First she is hilarious, she makes delicious chocolates (they sound delicious by her descriptions), she has a great blog and she is always in character. The only irreverent social media guinea pig that sings scat that I know of. Lil Pecan is a great example of someone who connects with people through her character and it just works!

You be your own judge. What calls to you? In our overly crowded information highway, you need to be sure you have a face that stops traffic and then you’d better have some good content for them to read while they’re there! Let us know who stops traffic for you.

Shameless plug: If you’d like more help on building a successful Twitter nest and managing your relationships get your copy of GETTIN’ GEEKY with TWITTER: Build Your Business and Manage Your Brand with Today’s Hottest Social Media Tool or give me a holler…let’s chat! Gina (at) Synapse3Di.com

February 10, 2010 | Filed Under Facebook, LinkedIn, Social Media, Technology, Twitter | 3 Comments

ATTENTION

“The person who can capture and hold attention is the person who can effectively influence human behavior. Who is a failure? Obviously, it is the person without influence; one to whom no one attends: the inventor who can persuade no one of the value of his device; the merchant who cannot attract enough customers into his store; the teacher whose pupils whistle or stamp or play tricks while he tries to capture their attention; the poet who writes reams of verse which no one will accept.” H. A. Overstreet, Influencing Human Behavior, 1925

I have always observed the hard worker, who is intelligent and dedicated to her work and yet continues to get passed over for job promotions time and time again by the loud-talking showman in the office. We all know intelligent people who are not only ignored but sometimes avoided by those he works with. It is that X-factor or the illusive quality we call charm.

I have studied this characteristic for years as it applies to professional speakers and trainers. Many have extensive knowledge and expertise and yet they make little or no connection with the audience. There are marketers using social networking tools who are the same. They have an extensive knowledge base but do not connect and hold the attention of their audience.

I have noticed that it is not the person at a party who sits in the corner holding the book of knowledge they wrote that is interesting, nor is it the one talking about themselves that others find fascinating, but the person at the party who is listening to the stories of others and making them feel like they are the most interesting people in the world…they are interesting! There is never an unpopular listener, and if you leave the presence of another person and you feel more fabulous, well they will have your attention every day of the week.

How are you engaging others using social media and making them feel interesting. How can we all listen more effectively here and then apply our knowledge base as a desired ointment instead of a greasy snake oil of pushy sales tactics and unfulfilled promises? Here are a few tips:

Each day of the week, make a point to comment on or write a personal note to 10-20 people that you are connected with—whether it is on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or even email.
When you ask a question in one of your posts, be sure to scan that post each day to see if someone answered. Make a comment and thank them for their fabulous response. Nothing worse than someone asking you a question and then not listening when you answer.
If you find yourself puking your information or knowledge all over people, STOP! Nothing tunes people out and turns them off faster than someone who goes on and on and on about themselves. Turn the tables asking them some questions about their experience and comment on something that you find fascinating.
When you are posting information on your social sites, be sure you keep in mind the audience you invited in. Are you still proving information that they would find helpful or interesting?

If there is anything the team at Synapse can do to help you craft your message- tweak your strategy or just help you be quiet and learn to listen more…let us know! Find me on Twitter or you can email me at Gina (at) Synapse3Di.com

February 1, 2010 | Filed Under Social Media | Leave a Comment

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